Choi Goes into Final Round of Mobile Bay LPGA Classic a Stroke Ahead

Chella Choi of South Korea fired a 6-under 66 to take the 54-hole lead in the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. The 72-hole, $1.2 million tournament is taking place on The Crossings Course at Magnolia Grove - a stop on Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - in Mobile.

The 22-year-old Choi, whose best finish is a tie for second in last year's Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, posted seven birdies - include three straight on each the front and back nines - and a bogey to reach 17-under 199, a stroke ahead of Anna Nordqvist and second-round leader Jessica Korda (69).

After opening with a 73 and 66, Nordqvist, a 25-year-old Swede with two career victories, posted an 11-under 61 that included 11 birdies, an eagle on the par-5 13th and a lone bogey en route to a new course record. The previous record of 62 was set by American Sydnee Michaels on Friday.

LPGA Hall of Fame member Karrie Webb of Australia, who began Saturday only a stroke back of Korda, shot a 69 and is in solo fourth at 201. Right behind at 202 is American Jennifer Johnson (65), while another stroke back in a tie for sixth are defending champion Stacy Lewis (63) and fellow Yank Michaels (69).

Lewis told reporters that she was a bit more deliberate Saturday after starting with two straight 70s. "I think we were must more careful with our targets and where I missed shots," said Lewis.

"I paid more attention to where I could miss it and still get it up and down, and I think that was the difference. But I hit it a lot more solid today, so I really didn't have to worry about it too much . . . It was just an easy day. I hit it a lot better. It was one of those stress-free days. I needed today. I needed something like that to get back in the tournament."